US 8,099,178 B2 · Building automation system facilitating user customization

Abstract

Systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable BAS. In one embodiment, the BAS includes a plurality of end devices, at least one communication network, a protocol-independent server engine, and a user interface. User customization options are presented by and accomplished through a graphical user interface. In addition to providing a portal through which users may access, manage, and customize the BAS, the user interface itself is customizable in accordance with and complimentary to the dynamic extensibility of the system.

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Claims26

Dependent claims

A building automation system (BAS) comprising:

a plurality of end devices each associated with at least one of a space, a system, or a subsystem for at least a portion of a building or a campus, wherein the plurality of end devices include end devices having different communication protocols including native and non-native communication protocols;
at least one communication network communicatively coupling at least a portion of the plurality of end devices and supporting the different communication protocols;
a protocol-independent server engine communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network, the server engine programmed to include:
programming means for repeatedly executing a dynamic extensibility capability for the BAS that automatically establishes communications with and control of the plurality of end devices over the different communication protocols,
programming means for selectively and repeatedly executing an automatic configuration capability for the BAS that supports addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices by automatically and without user intervention determining at least one characteristic of each end device, wherein the at least one characteristic of the end devices includes an interrelation of at least one end device with at least one other end device,
programming means for automatically assembling a relational directory of at least a portion of the plurality of end devices based at least in part on the at least one characteristic, and
database means for storing the at least one characteristic of each end device and the relational directory, wherein an added end device is organized in the database based in part upon end device characteristics, if the added end device shares characteristics with an existing end device, the BAS handles the added end device in a similar manner as the existing end device, if the added end device has characteristics that have not been incorporated into the BAS, user-supplied information is provided for management of the added end device;
and
user interface means communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network for displaying the relational directory as a navigable directory of pages,
wherein the programming means for automatically assembling the relational directory is configured to automatically update the relational directory according to the dynamic extensibility capability and the automatic configuration capability, when the addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices is performed;
and wherein the user interface means is configured to display the updated relational directory as an updated navigable directory of pages.

8 more elements

A building automation system (BAS) comprising:

a plurality of end devices each associated with at least one of a space, a system, or a subsystem for at least a portion of a building or a campus, wherein the plurality of end devices include end devices having different communication protocols including native and non-native communication protocols;
at least one communication network communicatively coupling at least a portion of the plurality of end devices and supporting the different communication protocols;
a protocol-independent server engine communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network, the server engine programmed to include:
programming means for repeatedly executing a dynamic extensibility capability for the BAS that automatically establishes communications with and control of the plurality of end devices over the different plurality of communication protocols,
programming means for selectively and repeatedly executing an automatic configuration capability for the BAS that supports addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices by automatically and without user intervention determining at least one characteristic of each end device, wherein the at least one characteristic of the end devices includes an interrelation of at least one end device with at least one other end device,
programming means for automatically assembling static information and dynamic data about at least one of the plurality of end devices and about the spaces, systems, subsystems, buildings, campuses associated with the at least one end device, and
database means for storing the static information and dynamic data and the at least one characteristic of each end device, wherein an added end device is organized in the database based in part upon end device characteristics, if the added end device shares characteristics with an existing end device, the BAS handles the added end device in a similar manner as the existing end device, if the added end device has characteristics that have not been incorporated into the BAS, user-supplied information is provided for management of the added end device;
and
user interface means communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network for displaying, for at least one of the spaces, systems, subsystems, buildings, and campuses, at least one page comprising static information and dynamic data about the space, system, subsystem, building, or campus,
wherein the at least one page includes static information and dynamic data about any of the plurality of end devices associated with the space, system, subsystem, building, or campus, and wherein the static information and dynamic data about any of the plurality of end devices comprises at least one navigable link to at least one page for that end device.

7 more elements

A building automation system (BAS) comprising:

a plurality of end devices each associated with at least one of a space, a system, or a subsystem for at least a portion of a building or a campus, wherein the plurality of end devices include end devices having different communication protocols including native and non-native communication protocols;
at least one communication network communicatively coupling at least a portion of the plurality of end devices and supporting the different communication protocols;
a protocol-independent server engine communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network, the server engine programmed to include:
software instructions adapted to automatically execute a dynamic extensibility capability for the BAS that automatically establishes communications with and control of the plurality of end devices over the different communication protocols,
software instructions adapted to selectively and repeatedly execute an automatic configuration capability for the BAS that supports addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices by automatically and without user intervention determining at least one characteristic of each end device, wherein the at least one characteristic of the end devices includes an interrelation of at least one end device with at least one other end device,
software instructions adapted to automatically assemble a relational directory of at least a portion of the plurality of end devices based at least in part on the at least one characteristic, and
a database adapted to store the at least one characteristic of each end device and the relational directory, wherein an added end device is organized in the database based in part upon end device characteristics, if the added end device shares characteristics with an existing end device, the BAS handles the added end device in a similar manner as the existing end device, if the added end device has characteristics that have not been incorporated into the BAS, user-supplied information is provided for management of the added end device;
and
a user interface communicatively coupled to the at least one communication network and adapted to display the relational directory as a navigable directory of pages,
wherein the software instructions adapted to assemble the relational directory are further adapted to update the relational directory according to the dynamic extensibility capability and the automatic configuration capability, when the addition of end devices to the plurality of end devices is performed;
and wherein the user interface is adapted to display the updated relational directory as an updated navigable directory of pages.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description11,855 words

Summary1,794 words

#The present invention relates generally to building automation systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to user customization of and interface with building automation system information, communications, and configurations.

#Building automation systems (BASs) are used to coordinate, manage, and automate control of diverse environmental, physical, and electrical building subsystems, particularly HVAC and climate control, but also including security, lighting, power, and the like. Typical existing BAS systems are hardwired or use a proprietary communication standard or protocol to link the various subsystems and provide system-wide user access and control.

#Hardwiring and manual programming of a BAS can create a robust fixed system customized for a particular installation. These systems, however, often require extensive customization for each building or site. Necessary manual programming and other installation elements for one BAS may not be applicable to other systems, contributing to the costliness and time-consuming installation associated with such systems.

Brief description of the drawings33 figures

#The invention may be more completely understood from the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a diagram of a building automation system (BAS) according to one embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is an operating architecture diagram of a BAS according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description9,516 words

#While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

#The present invention relates to systems and methods for interacting with and customizing a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable BAS. In one embodiment, user customization options are presented by and accomplished through a graphical user interface. In addition to providing a portal through which users may access, manage, and customize the BAS, the user interface itself is customizable in accordance with and complimentary to the dynamic extensibility of the system. For example, in one embodiment when an enterprise server engine of the BAS discovers new objects, the user interface can be customized automatically or selectively at a user's direction. The user interface also allows the user to customize the hierarchical directory of sites or buildings. The sites or buildings are searchable from the user interface and the results of searches can be used to then customize the directory. The user interface also comprises a dashboard display in one embodiment to present information about building systems at a glance. The dashboard displays include summary information for buildings, for spaces within buildings, or for specific equipment in a building.

#The systems and methods are particularly suited for a dynamically extensible and automatically configurable BAS and architecture, such as is disclosed in related and previously identified co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/208,773, entitled “Dynamically Extensible and Automatically Configurable Building Automation System and Architecture,” and the previously identified co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,702, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Facilitating User Customization”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,699, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Facilitating User Customization”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,695, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Data Management”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,698, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Data Management”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,703, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Data Management”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,697, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Building Automation System Data Management”; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/316,410, filed Dec. 22, 2005, entitled “Dynamically Extensible and Automatically Configurable Building Automation System and Architecture,” all of which have been incorporated herein by reference.

Facts

Application

11/316,687Filed 22 Dec 2005 · continuation in part

Priority

22 Aug 2005

Published

US 2007/0043476 A18 Mar 2007

Granted

17 Jan 2012

Term ends

10 Jul 2028

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 1,053 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

H04L 12/281
Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network: indicating a format for calling an appliance service…
H04L 12/2814
Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network: exchanging control software or macros for controlling…
H04L 67/12
Protocols: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in…
H04L 67/75
Network services: indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Family

Application11/208,773Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 22 Aug 2005

US 2007/0055757 A1Pre-grant publication · published 8 Mar 2007

US 2007/0043476 A1Published application

US 8,050,801 B2Related patent

US 8,099,178 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Timeline

22 Aug 2005Priority claimedParent application 11/208,773
22 Dec 2005Application filedUS 11/316,687
10 Apr 2006Assigned to American Standard International Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
8 Mar 2007PublishedUS 2007/0043476 A1
18 Mar 2008Assigned to Trane International Inc.change of name
2 Apr 2008Assigned to Trane International Inc.change of name
17 Jan 2012GrantedUS 8,099,178 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
10 Jul 2028Term endsEstimated, includes 1,053 days of adjustment

Building automation system facilitating user customization

Life of this patent

Building automation system facilitating user customization

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims26

Description11,855 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description11,855 words